During the 2016, many millennials who were qualified to vote failed to exercise their right to do so, leaving many to question this year’s election. We wonder if our vote truly matters.
While some millennials are aware and educated about the subject matter, others seem reluctant to care due to the lack of change that hinders our country. The 2016 election was a prime example of what can happen when we think the impossible can’t happen. According to Matthew Green of KQED.org. “About half the number of eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 29 (whom we’ll refer to as “millennials,” although millennials also include people in their early-to-mid-30s) cast ballots in this election. That rate falls well below the estimated general voter turnout rate of roughly 58 percent.”
With a society inundated with propaganda, racial unrest, decline of the middle class, international conflict, which only touches the surface of the problems that surround our society, voting for the right candidate can seem impossible. Jonah Miguel of Jamaica, Queens New York, who is a recent graduate of Five Towns College, has no interest in voting in the upcoming election. He explained, “I think this whole thing is rigged and my vote is completely irrelevant to the American people as whole, what does my one vote do?”
While many share the opinion of Jonah, others are still making the decision to vote despite their thoughts on government and social change. Some may think the presidential election is the main event, not realizing forfeiting their votes in local elections plays a big part in decisions made for the presidential one. “Our voting process is outdated and needs to be changed before I actually believe in the process” Said Miguel. What many silent eligible voters fail to realize is the importance of small elections and how they sway the votes of our state and city leaders. Many citizens don’t exercise their right until big elections because it seems like it’s the only one that actually matters.
According to National Geographic, “ The House of Representatives would both be elected directly by popular vote. The president, however, would be elected not by direct vote, but rather by the Electoral College. The Electoral College assigns a number of representative votes per state, typically based on the state’s population. This indirect election method was seen as a balance between the popular vote and using a state’s representatives in Congress to elect a president.”
Remembering that voting for a respectable candidate is not about liking any of the candidates whole heartedly, makes you look at the process a bit differently. It’s more so about taking a chance on the person who relates with your vision and can execute said vision for the betterment of your future.
